Stepping into the Sunshine

  

     I purchased this trench coat last year because of the color and fit.  I find I wear it often--it just feels good, like sunshine.

coat--worthington
blouse--emanuel ungaro
skirt--elie tahari
tights--hue
purse--b makowsky
shoes--franco sarto (thrifted)

links
not dead yet style
dc in style
plane pretty
still being molly
glamamom
style elixir
transatlantic blonde
the sapphire bee
penniless socialite
the pleated poppy
the mrs. & the momma
coffee deans and bobby pins

Tapestry and Leather

     Minnesota is a meteorologist's dream.  During the dark winter months (when sunset is at 4 in the afternoon) the temperatures can slide down to -20 degrees below zero.  The peak heat of the summer can reach 100+ degrees.  This is a transitional time from winter to spring.  Sunny 30 degree days seem warm.  The puffy down coats are pushed to the back of the closet and thoughts of gardening flood my mind.

     I just purchased this Michael Kors leather jacket.  I tend to choose gold accents on clothes because this highlights my hair and coloring best.  I think women of all ages look great in a leather jacket plus it works with many items in the closet.

jacket--Michael Kors
blouse--Victor / Victor Alfaro
skirt--Cabi (thrifted)
shoes--Cole Haan
tight--Merona

links
style elixir
What I Wore Wednesday
the pleated poppy
still being molly
dress for the day
rae gun ramblings
vodka infused lemonade
the mrs and the momma
not dead yet style

Folk Inspired / Take Three

    
     Many years ago I saw this jacket at Bloomingdales and I paused to admire it.  I was at a thrift shop and there it was in my size for less than five dollars! 

jacket--Grace Elements (thrifted)
blouse--New York & Company (thrifted)
shoes--Nine West (thrifted)
pants--Kenar


links
Color Blind- Thrifters Anonymous
Not Dead Yet Style
Plane Pretty for Sunday Style
Watch What I'm Wearing
Still Being Molly
Monday Mingle
My Thrifty Chic
The Tiny Heart

Folk Inspired / Take Two

     Color does something to the brain......it must be primal.  As humans, from the beginning of time, we must have decorated our bodies with color.  I think blogging is like gathering around the campfire, each of us telling our own stories with our words and our clothes.  As women it's in our nature to share our treasures with each other.  

     This is the bracelet I'm wearing in the photos.  I thought it looked so lovely photographed as a sculptural object, almost like a little crown!

jacket--BCBG
skirt--Lands End
bracelet--designer unknown
shoes--Nine West (thrifted)

links
Penniless Socialite 

The Mrs. and the Momma 

Folk Inspired / Take One

     My closet seems to be divided into two distinctive categories--"folk inspired" and "classic ladylike". Coats and jackets by Nanette Lepore and dresses by Theory hang next to thrifted blouses and seem to blend well together.
     I gave myself an assignment this week--create three folk inspired combinations for spring.  There's to many pictures for one day, so I'm dividing them into three separate posts.  Dean, my husband was at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas this week, so I was a "one woman show" taking these pictures.  I had fun making this group of photos and I hope you enjoy the looks.  Thanks to those who joined my site this week!

jacket--Nanette Lepore
shoes--Earth
pants--New York and Company
blouse--George

links
Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style
What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy 
Linking up with My Thrifty Chic                                                   
Because Shanna Said So // Random Wednesday
Transatlantic Blonde // What I Wore Wednesday
All Things Alisa// Diaries of a barganista

A Farmer's Daughter

     I truly grew up in the middle of the United States as a farmer's daughter.  Today I live in an urban area of more the three million people.  As a child I looked up at the airplanes, just tiny specs in the sky, and waved my hands to say hello as if the passengers could see me.  I remember thinking "I'm going to get on one of those someday."     

   
     The beginning of my creative interests started in this small place.  I learned to sew from one the neighbor women and my Mom kept a seemingly endless supply of art materials.  Each summer I would sew clothes made from complicated Vogue patterns in hopes of receiving a blue ribbon at the county fair.  This was a gracious life, filled with herds of animals and growing plants in the humid summers.

     This structure is the creative activities building at the Minnesota State Fair.  During two weeks in late August hundreds of thousands visit this building to see the quilts, clothes, pies and other handmade items.  (Yes, the ice in the photos will retreat by August!)  Even though I'm a long was from the early life, this spot reminds me of where I'm from--once and always a farmer's daughter.

jacket--BCBG

pants--Style&Co

shoes--Calvin Klein (thrifted)

purse--Adrienne Vittadini

links--

Penniless Socialite 

What I Wore Wednesday at The Pleated Poppy

Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style

Rachel of Rachel the Hat

          

Cobalt Blue Lace

     I've been watching this BCBG dress in the store for several months.  I like the bright cobalt blue and the vintage design, but I think lace can be hard to wear.  All the connections to lingerie......my thought go to "Maybe lace is best left for the undergarments?" Once it was reduced to 60% off, I decided to give the dress a spin.  I enjoy finding challenging items and trying to style them in a way that fits my personality and life.  

      Before going to art school, I studied commercial photography at a technical college.  After graduating, I decided that building the sets for the photographs was more interesting than taking the photos.  So art was the path taken.  My husband takes the photos and I style the clothes and find the locations.  I am inspired to create the photographic mood while building a visual story. 

     Thank you to those who joined my site.  As the weather gets warmer in my part of the world, I hope to share my ideas for fashion stories in the landscape of the beautiful upper midwest. 

dress--BCBG
tights--Merona
shoes--Bandolino
necklace--Natasha

Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style
Casual Friday Link Up Board at Two Thirty Five Design
Monday Mingle at Glamamom
Marionberry Style for Trend of the Month: Lace

Bright Spot in the Park

     You can feel the possibility of spring in the air, longer days and more sunshine.   I adore coats, you might have noticed from my pervious posts.  I'm somewhere between petite and regular size so getting the proper fit can be a problem.  This orange coat fits great (sleeves are not to long and no belt) and I appreciate the detailed construction plus gold accents.

     Some collect jewelry or shoes, but my weakness is a fancy purse.  I'm such a fan of folk art, so this embroidered leather bag is one of my favorites.  This handbag makes an outfit feel particularly special and gold hardware matches my earrings.  What do you collect?

     Well, could have another early March blizzard here in the upper midwest.  Hopefully the snow will melt soon and early spring tulips will grace the landscape.

coat--Jessica Simpson
shoes--Ellen Tracey
tights--Target
skirt--JCrew
blouse--Walter Baker
purse--Isabella Fiore

Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style